Verse of the Day 5/31

Verse of the Day 5/31

Deuteronomy 33:26-27 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
who rides across the heavens to help you
and on the clouds in his majesty.
27 The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
He will drive out your enemies before you,
saying, 'Destroy them!' New International Version (NIV)

Yesterday in Isaiah 40:8 we considered how God's Word won't wither or fade, but will stand, will endure forever. It is everlasting. In today's verse Moses pours out his heart, praising God who is like no other, who "rides across the heavens to help you." Think about that, the God who created the heavens will ride across those heavens in a nano second to help you. 
These are ancient words, written and. Inspired by God thousands of years ago, but they are still as true today as they were then.
Another thing to consider and to take to heart here in theses verses is that just as His word endures forever, our everlasting Father has everlasting arms to carry us through whatever this world has to throw at us. 
The hymn "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" comes to mind.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Leaning, leaning
Safe and secure from all alarms
Leaning, leaning
Leaning on the everlasting arms

Though He rides across the heavens for us, He is never far from us, He is with us. If you face challenges today, lean into those everlasting arms.

Blessings,

Mike

Deuteronomy 33:26-29 New King James Version (NKJV)

26 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun,
Who rides the heavens to help you,
And in His excellency on the clouds.
27 The eternal God is your refuge,
And underneath are the everlasting arms;
He will thrust out the enemy from before you,
And will say, 'Destroy!'
28 Then Israel shall dwell in safety,
The fountain of Jacob alone,
In a land of grain and new wine;
His heavens shall also drop dew.
29 Happy are you, O Israel!
Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord,
The shield of your help
And the sword of your majesty!
Your enemies shall submit to you,
And you shall tread down their [a]high places."

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Verse of the Day 5/29

Verse of the Day 5/29

Deuteronomy 32:1-2 "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak;
And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching drop as the rain,
My speech distill as the dew,
As raindrops on the tender herb,
And as showers on the grass. New King James Version (NKJV)

I know that it is not "officially" summer yet, but the heat here in the southeast tells me that it has arrived. It is supposed to be in the high 90's today and it has been several days since we've seen rain. The sun is strong and the grass in my front yard is starting to turn to brown in several spots, it is as if it is yearning for rain.

Today's verses come from the final chapters of Deuteronomy where Moses is offering some parting words and strong advice for God's people. They've been through the desert, wandering there for years and now they are about to head into the promised land. Moses begins His address by stating that God's people too, need to hear from God's Word to quench the thirst of their souls. He will dispense it as dew and raindrops and showers on His people.

The dew is something that settles even in the heat of summer, the overnight temperatures, combined with the humidity combine to produce the dew. Like the dew on the grass in summer so God's Word be for us, early in the morning.

Spend time in His Word each day, God will speak to you and give you your "dew", your showers of blessing when you need it, when your are desperate for it.

John Piper writes, "The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck apprehension of unshakable divine Truth, and utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life. That is what I want too. Which is why I am a Christian."

Holy, holy, holy
Lord, God Almighty
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee

Blessings,

Mike

Deuteronomy 32:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

32 "Listen, O heavens, and I will speak!
Hear, O earth, the words that I say!
2 Let my teaching fall on you like rain;
let my speech settle like dew.
Let my words fall like rain on tender grass,
like gentle showers on young plants.
3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord;
how glorious is our God!
4 He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect.
Everything he does is just and fair.
He is a faithful God who does no wrong;
how just and upright he is!

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Verse of the Day 5/28

Verse of the Day 5/28

Psalm 39:6-7 We live our lives like those living in shadows.[a]
All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away.
We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things,
only to leave them all behind for who knows who.
7 And now, God,[b] I'm left with one conclusion:
my only hope is to hope in you alone! The Passion Translation (TPT)

I read these verses the other day and the same morning I saw a mother fox and several pups show up in the bushes by our pool. Who knows how long they've been around, but today's verses reminded me of how these foxes are, they live, they get by; living in the shadows. When they are gone there is little sign that they've been there at all. Aside from the photo and related comments on facebook; they really don't make much impact in the lives of all the humans around them.

As we go through life, day by day, are we also "living in the shadows". We "gather; hoard; and cling to our things" but how much of it will truly be valued by anyone? May we come to the same conclusion as the psalmist "my only hope is to hope in you alone". In trusting in God, in following Christ; we will be remembered more for serving and ministering to others than by the things that we may leave behind. Sobering thoughts as I am in the process of cleaning out my garage, tossing away things that I once thought were of value and importance.

Blessings,

Mike

Psalm 39 The Passion Translation (TPT)

A Cry for Help
39 For the Pure and Shining One
A song of praising, by King David[a]
1–2 Here's my life motto, the truth I live by:
I will guard my ways for all my days.
I will speak only what is right, guarding what I speak.
Like a watchman guards against an attack of the enemy,
I'll guard and muzzle my mouth
when the wicked are around me.
I will remain silent and will not grumble
or speak out of my disappointment.
But the longer I'm silent the more my pain grows worse!
3–4 My heart burned with a fire within me,
and my thoughts eventually boiled over
until they finally came rolling out of my mouth.
"Lord, help me to know how fleeting my time on earth is.
Help me to know how limited is my life
and that I'm only here but for a moment more.
5 What a brief time you've given me to live![b]
Compared to you my lifetime is nothing at all!
Nothing more than a puff of air, I'm gone so swiftly.
So too are the grandest of men;
they are nothing but a fleeting shadow!"
Pause in his presence
6 We live our lives like those living in shadows.[c]
All our activities and energies are spent for things that pass away.
We gather, we hoard, we cling to our things,
only to leave them all behind for who knows who.
7 And now, God,[d] I'm left with one conclusion:
my only hope is to hope in you alone!

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Verse of the Day 6/26

Verse of the Day 6/26

1 Timothy 6:15-16 God will bring this about in His own time. He is

the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings,
and the Lord of lords,
16 the only One who has immortality,
dwelling in unapproachable light;
no one has seen or can see Him,
to Him be honor and eternal might.
Amen. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Today???s verse speaks of God dwelling in ???unapproachable light???. His brightness outshines the sun, we can???t think of approaching His presence on our own. Going all the way back to when God revealed Himself to Moses this has been the case.

But God does choose to reveal Himself to us, not only that, one of His names is ???Immanuel??? which means God is with us.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you[a] a sign: The virgin will conceive,[b] have a son, and name him Immanuel. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The unapproachable God is with us. John Townsend writes, ???To be ???with??? means ???on the same side.??? It signifies that someone is present with you, has your back, is accompanying you, and wants to help you in every way. Jesus??? birth announcement provided another name for Him, to convey an idea of hope to us. It is that not only is God the Creator and the Sustainer of life, He is also present. He is deeply and intimately connected in relationship to you. He knows your struggles and your dreams, and walks with you through them.....Think how much better life is with the right safe people in your life. Then think how much better life is than this, when you allow yourself to experience the ???with??? of Jesus. This Christmas season, spend time with Him and ask Him to visit you and be with you in a way that brings you ever closer to Him. God bless you.???
Putting these things together, what can be our response other than to praise Him! May we do so from our hearts, from within us where the God of unappoachable light has chosen to dwell and shine through us.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

1 Timothy 6:11-16 English Standard Version (ESV)

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before[a] Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time???he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.

Verse of the Day 5/23

Verse of the Day 5/23

2 Peter 3:15 ?? And keep in mind that our Lord???s extraordinary patience simply means more opportunity for salvation, just as our dear brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. ??The Passion Translation (TPT)

As I read today???s verse, two words, strung together caught my attention, ???extraordinary patience???. ??It is part of the Lord???s character, the New King James Version uses the word ???long suffering???.

Would you be able to say that about yourself, that you have ???extraordinary patience???, it could not be said of me, for sure. ??But it is a characteristic that should be, that needs to be developed in us if we are going to be effective in reaching others for Christ.

The Apostle Paul points to the importance of patience when he writes to those in the church at Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 ?? Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. ??New King James Version (NKJV)

Think of the things that Jesus was subjected to and yet showed patience even to His last moments when He said from the cross:

Luke 23:34 ?? Then Jesus said, ???Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.??? ??New King James Version (NKJV)

They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he pray

They led him through the street in shame

They spat upon the Saviour so pure and free from sin

They said crucify him he's to blame

He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and set him free

He could have called ten thousand angels but he died alone for you and me

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

2 Peter 3:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

Be Steadfast

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation???as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

Verse of the Day 5/22

Verse of the Day 5/22

John 17:9-10??So with deep love,??I pray for my disciples.

????????I???m not asking on behalf of the unbelieving world,
????????but for those who belong to you,
????????those you have given me.
10??For all who belong to me now belong to you.
????????And all who belong to you now belong to me as well,
????????and my glory is revealed through??their surrendered lives. ??The Passion Translation (TPT)

Yesterday???s post ended with us considering ourselves as a friend of God, and more than that, children of God. ??Today???s verse comes from Jesus??? great prayer in John 17 and in these verses John writes that Jesus prays for His disciples. ??Think about that, Jesus praying for us. ??The One who created the world and keeps it going is thinking of and praying for us.

We may say that we desire, as a Christ follower; to live the victorious Christian life. ??The other sobering thing that is revealed in these verses is that the way that it is accomplished is surrender. ??Victory through surrender, not exactly something that the world would say makes sense. ??But have you seen it in your own life? ??When going through a trial you come to a point where you realize and acknowledge that you can???t do it, you can???t win it on your own, it must be through surrender to God.

All to Jesus I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now,

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Blessings,

Mike

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

John 17:8-10??English Standard Version (ESV)

8??For I have given them??the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that??I came from you; and??they have believed that you sent me.??9??I am praying for them.??I am not praying for the world but for those??whom you have given me, for??they are yours.??10??All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and??I am glorified in them.

--

Verse of the Day 5/21

Verse of the Day 5/21

Colossians 3:12-13 You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others. 13 Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.  The Passion Translation (TPT)

I had another verse in mind for today's post, but as I read these words from The Passion Translation, I felt that there were some people who would be reading this post that would need to hear these words, "you are always and dearly loved by God".  How about you, did you need to hear that and be reminded of His love today?

If so, continue on in the verses, robe yourself, put on, literally clothe yourselves in the virtues of God outlined in the verses.  How about these words, "be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others?  Would the word "unoffendable" be a word to describe you?  I know that it could not normally be said of me.  But we don't need to be our "normal" selves.  We can put on Christ, we can draw upon His power, show His kindness, mercy and compassion and showing kindness to "all"

Read the passage below from the New King James Version which gives the heading for the passage, "Character of the New Man".   May it be the character of the new me and you.

Who am I that You are mindful of me?
That You hear me when I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
How you Love me
It's Amazing, so amazing, it's amazing

I am a friend of God.    (I Am a Friend of God - Philips, Craig and Dean)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Colossians 3:12-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

olossians 3:12-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Colossians 3:12-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Verse of the Day 5/19

Verse of the Day 5/19

Psalm 34:12-13   Do you want to live a long, good life,

enjoying the beauty that fills each day?
Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words
to come from your mouth.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today's verses from The Passion Translation should draw your attention.  They caught mine.

Most people that you would ask would say that they would desire a long good life.  But what would define that good, long life?  Would it involve the gathering and storing of things, building up bank accounts and IRA's, with plans on collecting sea shells on the sea shore?

I believe that God has other, and better plans for us.  We can only see true beauty when we gaze through the eyes of God, find joy in the same things that bring Him joy.  Enjoy the beauty of the day, in the world around us, in God's creation and in His people.

A prerequisite to doing so comes from verse 13.  We should guard our tongues, speak things that edify and not put down, slander or try to destroy others.

Ephesians 4:14-16  we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.    New King James Version (NKJV)

May those who desire a long, good life continue in Christ; "speaking the truth in love", growing up, growing old into faith in Him.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Psalm 34:8-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
⁹ Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no ^[a]want to those who fear Him.
¹⁰ The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.

¹¹ Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
¹² Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
¹³ Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.

Verse of the Day 5/18

Verse of the Day 5/18

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5  Dear brothers and sisters, you are dearly loved by God and we know that he has chosen you to be his very own. ⁵ For our gospel came to you not merely in the form of words but in mighty power infused with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. Surely you remember how we lived our lives transparently before you to encourage you.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Yesterday I went to have a cortisone injection into my neck in hopes that it will relieve some of the pain and discomfort and numbness that I have been experienced in my neck and going down to the fingertips of my left hand.  This is my second injection and I head into it with hope; based on the results of the last injection.   As God would have it, these verses came up in a devotional that I read yesterday

The notes from the NIV "The Jesus Bible" read, "The people to whom Paul wrote as part of the church in Thessalonica were new followers of Jesus. They had many questions and challenges in the midst of severe opposition from the Jews. Therefore it seems natural that Paul would inject hope into every chapter of 1 Thessalonians. In much of the book, Jesus is pictured as the hope of salvation—both for this life and when he returns to earth. This message was especially vital to this audience since the gospel originally came to them amidst great suffering and affliction."    The word that naturally caught my attention was "inject".  I hope that the injection that I received will work and be helpful, but more that that I trust that God's Word would be at work in my life with "mighty power infused by the Holy Spirit" with deep conviction.    I've seen God answer prayers and do things in my family that give me hope in our current battles.  My youngest son Jason HAD an inoperable brain tumor, yes had, God took away the inoperable brain tumor.  My oldest son Jeff suffered a traumatic brain injury that has left him disables.  However, we were told that he would never walk or talk again.  After two years, he spoke his first words and he's been speaking to us in words and attitude every day, telling us how much he loves us; thanking us, thanking God for his wonderful life; and how he HAS the peace that passes understanding.    Jean will soon beginning some treatments for her NETs cancer.  It involves radioactive infusion.  Again, we pray that the treatments will be effective.  But more than that we know that she will be "infused with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction" as we continually lean and trust in Him.    Take the time to read the chapter and if you are facing challenges or trials today, may you experience the "hope filled patience in our Lord Jesus Christ" that Paul writes about.  

1 Thessalonians 1:3 For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love motivates you to serve others, and how unrelenting is your hope-filled patience in our Lord Jesus Christ  The Passion Translation (TPT)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Verse of the Day 5/16

Verse of the Day 5/16

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; ⁴ for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'    New King James Version (NKJV)

The challenges, the battles faced by the Israelites in biblical times make a lot of our troubles, our battles seem like minor skirmishes in comparison.  They were often outnumbered, out armed, surrouned and on the surface seemed ill equipped for the battle ahead.  In today's verses, they were "on the verge of battle", it was immanent and they had to face it.  Here, God, through Moses, challenges them not to be of faint heart or to fear, but to go out and face the battle, because God would be with them.  He was for them

What are some of the battles that we face today?  Long term illnesses; battles in personal relationships; challenges at work; temptations to make compromises that clearly go against what we believe.  How do we face these battles?  In faith, in prayer, in hope and with confidence and yes, even joy.

Michael W. Smith, in his song "Surrounded" writes:

It may look like I'm surrounded
But I'm surrounded by You
It may look like I'm surrounded
But I'm surrounded by You

This is how I fight my battles
This is how I fight my battles

If you feel "surrounded" this morning, don't sit back and take it, fight the battle, God is for you and is in it with you.

Isaiah 61:3 New Living Translation (NLT)

³ To all who mourn in Israel,^[a]
    he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
    festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
    that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Deuteronomy 20:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

Principles Governing Warfare

20 "When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. ² So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. ³ And he shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; ⁴ for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'